Question On Notice No. 3260 asked in the Legislative Council on 8 October 2020 by Hon Colin Tincknell
Question Directed to the: Leader of the House representing the Minister for Child Protection
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
(1) During the month of May 2020, what was the total number of registered carers with four or more children placed with them, by category of relative and non-relative carer, by district?
(2) During the month of May 2020, how many carers had a ‘carer record screening’ overdue or not recorded, by category of relative and non-relative carer, by district?
(3) During the month of May 2020, how many carers had overdue ‘carer reviews’, by category of relative and non-relative carer, by district?
Answered on 5 November 2020
(1)
This information is not captured and available retrospectively. As at 16 October 2020:
District
|
Family Carer
|
Foster Carer
|
Armadale
|
4
|
11
|
Cannington
|
6
|
2
|
East Kimberley
|
0
|
2
|
Fremantle
|
6
|
0
|
Goldfields
|
1
|
4
|
Great Southern
|
2
|
0
|
Joondalup
|
3
|
5
|
Midland
|
14
|
8
|
Midwest Gascoyne
|
5
|
6
|
Mirrabooka
|
3
|
6
|
Peel
|
7
|
5
|
Perth
|
5
|
6
|
Pilbara
|
5
|
1
|
Rockingham
|
5
|
3
|
Southwest
|
6
|
8
|
West Kimberley
|
2
|
1
|
Wheatbelt
|
12
|
2
|
Total
|
86
|
70
|
(2)
This information is not captured and available retrospectively. As at 16 October 2020:
District
|
Total
|
Armadale
|
1
|
East Kimberley
|
1
|
Goldfields
|
1
|
Midland
|
4
|
Midwest Gascoyne
|
1
|
Perth
|
5
|
South West
|
4
|
West Kimberley
|
1
|
Wheatbelt
|
1
|
An urgent placement with a family member or significant other can be made under s.79(2)(b) of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, based on an initial safety assessment and may occur prior to the commencement of formal record screening. Where urgent care arrangements occur, the Department of Communities (Communities) undertakes a safety assessment, focusing on the safety, wellbeing and best interests of the child. These urgent arrangements can occur in circumstances where children enter Communities’ care suddenly or there is a sudden change to their care arrangement.
Carer screening forms part of the carer assessment process and includes a Criminal Record Check and a Client and Child Protection Check.
Communities actively monitors and actions where record screenings are not recorded.
(3)
This information is not captured and available retrospectively. As at 16 October 2020:
District
|
Family
|
Foster
|
Armadale
|
31
|
20
|
Cannington
|
25
|
12
|
East Kimberley
|
3
|
1
|
Fremantle
|
23
|
4
|
Goldfields
|
5
|
5
|
Great Southern
|
8
|
6
|
Joondalup
|
20
|
18
|
Midland
|
25
|
17
|
Midwest Gascoyne
|
31
|
15
|
Mirrabooka
|
26
|
11
|
Peel
|
27
|
24
|
Perth
|
24
|
16
|
Pilbara
|
9
|
2
|
Rockingham
|
29
|
13
|
Southwest
|
28
|
19
|
West Kimberley
|
34
|
2
|
Wheatbelt
|
16
|
9
|
Child and Carer Connection Hub
|
0
|
2
|
Total
|
364
|
196
|
A person who applies to become a foster carer is assessed against five criteria, known as competencies identified in the Children and Community Services Regulations 2006. The CEO must be satisfied that the individual:
- is able to provide care for a child in a way that promotes the wellbeing of the child, promotes the child's family and interpersonal relationships, and protects the child from harm
- is able to provide a safe living environment for a child
- is able to work cooperatively with officers, a child's family and other people when providing care for a child
- is able to take responsibility for the development of his or her competency and skills as a carer, and
- is a person of good character and repute.
Providing support to foster carers forms part of an ongoing process, through regular visits with the foster carer and de-briefing. The foster carer review meeting is an additional annual event, with information gathered from visits or other contact with the foster carer throughout the year contributing to the annual (12 month) review process and re-assessment against the competencies.
Communities recognises that at times, annual reviews can be impacted by carer availability, distance or a sudden change in circumstances or care arrangement.